4. IMPLEMENTATION Overview

Transcription

1 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an / Austin Brown 4. IMPLEMENTATION Overview The challenge to implementing bicycle facilities in a growing community like is to integrate bicycle planning and expectations with a myriad of ongoing implementation programs and projects. The three main ways to improve bicycling conditions in are through facility construction, program implementation and policy enforcement. This chapter outlines the implementation priorities, key partners in implementation, facility development methods, and nearly 40 specific action steps. Implementation Priorities The following action steps are integral to achieving the goals and vision of this Plan. As guiding recommendations and the clearest representation of specific items to accomplish, they should be referred to often. Table 4.1 summarizes these action steps, along with all other recommendations made throughout the plan, and defines recommended actions, responsible agency, resources, keys to success and listing of stakeholders. Finally, this Plan s appendices provide a variety of in-depth resources for assisting in carrying out these tasks. 1. Adopt this Plan This should be considered the first step in implementation. Through adoption, the Bicycle Plan will become recognized as a legitimate planning document for the Town. Adoption demonstrates that the Town has undergone a successful, supporting planning process that engaged citizens, stakeholders, interest groups, advocates, Town staff and elected decision-makers. The Town will be better able to shape transportation and development decisions so that they fit with the goals of this Plan. Most importantly, having an adopted plan is extremely helpful in securing funding from state, federal, and private agencies. Adopting this Plan does not commit the Town to dedicate or allocate funds, but rather indicates the intent of the Town to implement this Plan over time, starting with these action steps. The Town Council, Planning Board, and Recreation Advisory Committee and staff should become knowledgeable of this Plan and support ordinance amendments and policy changes contained in the recommendations. Efforts have been undertaken to coordinate the recommendations with the concurrent update of the Town s Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The salient elements of the adopted Bicycle Plan should be included in the next update of the Unified Development Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, CIP, and the Design and Construction Manual. 2. Designate Staff Designate staff to oversee the implementation of this plan and the proper maintenance of the facilities that are developed. It is recommended that a combination of existing, Public Works, Planning and Zoning, and Parks and Recreation staff oversees the day-to-day implementation of this Plan. In many municipalities this task is covered by a full-time bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, but in smaller towns, such as, it makes more sense to fold these responsibilities into current staff responsibilities. 4-1

2 2011 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an 3. Establish a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) The Town of should establish a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) to assist in the implementation of this Plan. The Town of would oversee this group. The BPAC would be comprised of both commuting and recreational cyclists and pedestrian advocates, and should champion the recommendations of this Plan and the existing Pedestrian Plan. Formation of BPAC will also represent a significant step in becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community. The BPAC s role would be to provide a communications link between the citizens of the community and Town government. The BPAC should meet periodically, be tasked with assisting the Town staff in community outreach, marketing and educational activities recommended by this Plan. Models for BPAC exist throughout North Carolina. Durham, NC, has had in place their own BPAC (www. bikewalkdurham.org) for many years. In Raleigh, a BPAC was recently formed in response to the adoption of their 2009 Bicycle Transportation Plan. These organizations, and others like them, traditionally focus on education, advocacy, partnerships, events and community service. Each BPAC member could represent one key functional area: planning, design, safety, maintenance, education, health, recreation, etc. would greatly benefit by supporting the creation of such an organization. ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION Town Council policy & leadership Public Works facility construction & maintenance project implementation & design, coordinate BPAC, facility planning, and policy implementation & maintenance Parks + Rec maintenance of greenways, education, and participation in BPAC Developers facility construction & dedication NCDOT 5 facility construction & maintenance BPAC* advocacy, direction, grant writing & support CAMPO coordinate with TIP and regional projects Local Residents & Advocacy Groups trail construction & program volunteers *BPAC = Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, to be formed after adoption of this plan 4-2

3 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an Begin Semiannual Meeting With Key Project Partners Coordination between key project partners will establish a system of checks and balances, provide a level of accountability, and ensure that recommendations are implemented. This meeting should be organized by the designated Town staff, and should include representatives from the Organizational Chart shown on page 4-2. The purpose of the meeting should be to ensure that this Plan s bicycle recommendations are integrated with other transportation planning efforts in the region, local roadway design, the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), as well as long-range and current land use planning, economic development planning, and environmental planning. Attendees should work together to identify and secure funding necessary to immediately begin the first year s work, and start working on a funding strategy that will allow the Town to incrementally complete each of the suggested physical improvements, policy changes and programs over a 5-10 year period. A brief progress benchmark report should be a product of these meetings, and goals for the year should be reconfirmed by participants. The meetings could also feature special training sessions on bicycle, pedestrian, and trail issues. 5. Seek Multiple Funding Sources and Facility Development Options Multiple approaches should be taken to support bicycle and trail facility development and programming. It is important to secure the funding necessary to undertake priority projects but also to develop a long-term funding strategy to allow continued development of the overall system. A priority action is to immediately evaluate the recommendations against transportation projects that are currently programmed in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to see where projects overlap, compliment, or conflict with each other. The Town should also evaluate which of the proposed projects could be added to future TIP updates. Capital and local funds for bicycle facilities and trail construction should be set aside every year, even if only for a small amount (small amounts of local funding can be matched to outside funding sources). A variety of local, state, and federal options and sources exist and should be pursued. These funding options are described in Appendix F: Funding. Other methods of trail and bicycle facility development that are efficient and cost-effective are described in the Facility Development Methods section of this chapter. 6. Improve Bicycle Policies While the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance address non-motorized transportation in a number of important ways, some policy updates are recommended to ensure future development provides pedestrian and bicycle facilities and improves bicycle/pedestrian friendliness. A table of suggested policy changes in included in Appendix C: Desk Reference for Bicycle Policies. Top Policy Recommendations (see Appendix C for more on bicycle-related policies) Complete Streets Policy: There is a growing national trend towards integrating bicycling, walking and transit as a routine element in highway and transit projects. This movement has developed under the name of Complete Streets, which is defined by the Complete the Streets Coalition as follows: Complete Streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and bus riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street. By adopting a Complete Streets policy, the Town of commits to developing new roadways and reconstructing existing roadways to accommodate all users. Coordinated Development: Ensure that adopted bicycle and multi-use path recommendations from this plan are part of future residential and commercial developments that connect with such proposed facilities. Driveway Access Management: Refer to the NCDOT policy on Street and Driveway Access to North Carolina Highways for examples on how to reduce conflict points between motor vehicles and pedestrians and bicyclists. Consider access management for both future development and retrofits to existing development: 4-3

4 2011 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an 7. Develop Trail Construction Documents and Striping Plans Town engineers could prepare these in-house to save money, using the design guidelines of this plan and the project cut-sheets as starting points. Specifically, the resources listed on page A-3 will be very useful in drafting such documents. The public should have an opportunity to comment on the design of new facilities. 8. Launch Programs as New Projects are Built Through cooperation with the Town of, the BPAC, and local advocacy groups, strong education, encouragement, and enforcement campaigns could occur as new facilities are built. When an improvement has been made, the roadway environment has changed and proper interaction between motorists and bicyclists is critical for the safety of all users. A campaign through local television, on-site enforcement, education events, and other methods will bring attention to the new facility, and educate, encourage, and enforce proper use and behavior. Appendix B: Bicycle Program Toolbox, provides program ideas for the Town and BPAC to choose from, many of which are also included in the action steps table at the end of this chapter. Top Program Recommendations (see Appendix B for more on bicycle-related programs) Offer joint adult and youth bicycle classes, to be provided in partnership between a locally certified League of American Bicyclists (LAB) instructor, BPAC, and Parks and Recreation. The actual curriculum would be developed by these groups, and could focus on personal trip coaching/promotion for non-car modes. Parks and Recreation and/or Police could lead a monthly family ride during the months of April through October as part of their regular programming schedule (similar to other programs listed in their seasonal publication); citizens (or BPAC members) might be willing to coordinate and lead such rides. 9. Offer Training for Enforcement Law enforcement officers have many things to worry about, yet bicyclists and pedestrians remain the most vulnerable forms of traffic. The Police has been an active participant in this planning process, and should continue to be involved in implementation. In many cases, officers and citizens do not fully understand state and local laws related to bicyclists and pedestrians. Training on this topic can lead to additional education and enforcement programs that promote safety. Training for Holly Springs officers could be done through free online resources available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (see links at If the Town is able to find and secure grants for education, the Town could also seek instructor-led courses offered by the NHTSA or groups such as the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). 10. Become Designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community One of the goals for this Bicycle Plan is to transform into a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC). The Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is an awards program that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle Friendly Community provides safe accommodation for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation and recreation. The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) administers the Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign and represents the interests of the nation s 57 million cyclists. A committee of the LAB reviews and scores the BFC application and consults with local cyclists in the community. An award of platinum, gold, silver or bronze status is designated for a period of four years. The LAB and technical assistance staff continue to work with awardees and those communities that do not yet meet the criteria to encourage continual improvements. The LAB recognizes newly designated 4-4

5 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an 2011 Bicycle Friendly Communities with an awards ceremony, a Bicycle-Friendly Community road sign, and a formal press announcement. The development and implementation of this Plan is an essential first step in eventually becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community. In North Carolina, several communities are designated as bicycle friendly, including Cary, Carrboro, Greensboro, Durham, and Charlotte. should make progress in accomplishing the goals of this Plan, and then apply for BFC status. If the short term work program is accomplished, the Town should be in a position to apply for and receive BFC status within three years. 11. Ensure Planning Efforts are Integrated Regionally Regional efforts by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) are worthwhile opportunities for the Town of. The Locally Administered Projects Program (LAPP) established in 2010 is the most logical and organized method to secure state and federal transportation program funds to implement bicycle projects in. The program will be used by CAMPO to prioritize and program all projects in the region that will utilize federal funding that is the responsibility of the MPO, including but not limited to Surface Transportation Program Direct Allocation (STP-DA), Congestion Mitigation for Air Quality (CMAQ), and perhaps Transportation Enhancement once that program is re-invigorated by the next NCDOT Manager of the of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation. The LAPP process will involve a once-a-year call for all local highway, bicycle and pedestrian projects, and will result in an annual program of projects in the MTIP (Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program). The first call for projects was due October Key Partners in Implementation Role of Town Council The Town Council will be responsible for adopting this Plan. Through adoption, the Town s leadership is recognizing the value of bicycle transportation and is putting forth a well-thought out set of recommendations for improving public safety and overall quality of life (see pages 1-4 to 1-9: The Benefits of a Bicycle-Friendly Community). By adopting this Plan, the Town Council is also signifying that they are prepared to support the efforts of other key partners in the plan s implementation, including the work of it s own departments and the local NCDOT, 5. Adoption of this Plan is in line with public support. The online comment form (which yielded 234 responses showed strong support for improving bicycling conditions. The comment form asked, How important to you is improving bicycling conditions in? Sixty-three percent responded Very important, 29% responded important, while only 7.6 percent responded Not important. See Appendix D: Public Involvement for more information. Role of the Town of Planning Board The Town of Planning Board serves as an advisory board to the Town Council on some matters of planning and zoning. The Planning Board should be prepared to: Become familiar with the recommendations of this Plan, and support its implementation. Learn about bicycle-related policy in Appendix C of this Plan. Role of the Town of The will take primary responsibility for the design and construction of bicycle facilities on town-owned and maintained roadways, as well as on NCDOT roadways, where encroachment agreements are secured. For example, the department should be prepared to: Meet with the BPAC; provide progress updates for plan implementation and gather input regarding bicycle and trail-related issues. 4-5

6 2011 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an Become familiar with the standards set forth in Appendix A of this Plan, as well as state and national standards for bicycle facility design. Design and construct bicycle facilities using the standards set forth in Appendix A of this Plan. Secure encroachment agreements before work on any NCDOT-owned and maintained roadways. Communicate and coordinate with the Town of Parks and Recreation Director on priority projects for town-maintained roadways and trail corridors/easements. Communicate and coordinate with Wake County, CAMPO, and neighboring municipalities on regional bicycle facilities and trails; partner for joint-funding opportunities. Keep track of all upcoming roadway reconstruction or resurfacing/restriping projects in Holly Springs, as they relate to the recommendations in this Plan and the CTP. Communicate and coordinate with NCDOT 5 on this Plan s recommendations for NCDOT-owned and maintained roadways. Provide comment and reminders about this Plan s recommendations no later than the design phase. Work with 5 to ensure that when NCDOT-owned and maintained roadways in Holly Springs are resurfaced or reconstructed, that this Plan s adopted recommendations for bicycle facilities are included on those streets. The Town should initiate early consultation with NCDOT to add incidental bicycle-related projects into the annual resurfacing program before NCDOT prepares pavement marking plans. If a compromise to the original recommendation is needed, then contact NCDOT of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation for guidance on appropriate alternatives. Role of the Town of Public Works The Public Works and Streets will take primary responsibility for the maintenance of bicycle facilities on town-owned and maintained roadways, as well as on NCDOT roadways, where encroachment agreements are secured. For example, the department should be prepared to: Become familiar with the standards set forth in Appendix A of this Plan, as well as state and national standards for bicycle facility design. Maintain bicycle facilities by street sweeping and removing debris. Enforce the removal of obstructions in bicycle lanes. Communicate and coordinate with the Town of Parks and Recreation Director on greenway trail maintenance. Keep track of all upcoming roadway reconstruction or resurfacing/restriping projects in Holly Springs, as they relate to the recommendations in this Plan. Role of the Town of Parks & Recreation The Town of Parks and Recreation operates the recreation, athletic, and special event programs for the citizens of. They also lead implementation and maintain a variety of community, neighborhood, greenway, and natural park areas. The Parks and Recreation should be prepared to: Meet with the BPAC; provide progress updates for plan implementation and gather input regarding bicycle and trail-related issues. Pursue grants for funding priority projects and priority programs. 4-6

7 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an 2011 Select and carry out bicycle-related programs; Work with locale advocacy groups and the BPAC to assist in organizing bicycle-related events, educational activities, and enforcement programs. Communicate and coordinate with the Town of, Wake County, and neighboring municipalities on regional trails facilities; partner for joint-funding opportunities. Role of the Town of of Planning and Zoning The of Planning and Zoning will take primary responsibility for the contact with new development to implement the plan (with support from the Parks and Recreation and s). For example, the department should be prepared to: Communicate and coordinate with local developers on adopted recommendations for bicycle facilities, including paved multi-use trails. Make recommended revisions to local ordinances and policies. Role of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) See pages 4-1 and 4-3 for information about forming a BPAC. The BPAC should be prepared to: Meet with staff from the ; evaluate progress of the plan s implementation and offer input regarding bicycle and trail-related issues; assist Town staff in applying for grants and organizing bicycle-related events and educational activities. Build upon current levels of local support for bicycling issues and advocate for local project funding. Role of the Local NCDOT, 5 5 of the NCDOT is responsible for the construction and maintenance of bicycle facilities on NCDOT-owned and maintained roadways in the Town of, OR is expected to allow for the Town to do so with encroachment agreements. 5 should be prepared to: Recognize this Plan as not only as an adopted plan of the Town of, but also as an approved plan of the NCDOT. Become familiar with the bicycle facility recommendations for NCDOT roadways in this Plan (Chapter 3); take initiative in incorporating this Plan s recommendations into the s schedule of improvements whenever possible. Become familiar with the standards set forth in Appendix A of this Plan, as well as state and national standards for bicycle facility design; construct and maintain bicycle facilities using the highest standards allowed by the State (including the use of innovative treatments on a trial-basis). Notify the Town of of all upcoming roadway reconstruction or resurfacing/restriping projects in, no later than the design phase; Provide sufficient time for comments from the planning staff. If needed, seek guidance and direction from the NCDOT of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation on issues related to this Plan and its implementation. Role of the Town of Police The Town of Police is responsible for making a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. The Police should be prepared to: 4-7

8 2011 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an Become experts on bicycling-related laws in North Carolina (see ) Continue to enforce not only bicycling-related laws, but also motorist laws that affect bicycling, such as speeding, running red lights, aggressive driving, etc. Participate in bicycle-related education programs such as ongoing bicycle rodeos. Set up a telephone hotline or online reporting mechanism for reporting bicycling- and pedestrianrelated violations, then target those areas for enforcement. Review safety considerations with the as projects are implemented. Maintain a separate, mapped bicycle and pedestrian crash database. Role of Developers Developers in can play an important role in facility development whenever a project requires the enhancement of transportation facilities or the dedication and development of trails or sidepaths. Developers should be prepared to: Become familiar with the benefits, both financial and otherwise, of providing amenities for walking and biking (including trails) in residential and commercial developments. Become familiar with the standards set forth in Appendix A of this Plan, as well as state and national standards for bicycle facility design. Become familiar with the Town Unified Development Ordinance revisions related to bicycle facilities. Role of Local Residents, Clubs and Advocacy Groups Local residents, clubs and advocacy groups play a critical role in the success of this plan. They should be prepared to: Continue offering input regarding bicycling issues in. Assist Town staff and BPAC by volunteering for bicycle-related events and educational activities and/or participate in such activities. Assist Town staff and BPAC by speaking at Town Council meetings and advocating for local bicycle project and program funding Facility Development Methods Construction Method Definitions As indicated in the legend of Map 4.1, some facilities are broken down into sub-categories for method of development. Repaving projects provide a clean slate for revising pavement markings. When a road is repaved, the roadway should be restriped to create narrower lanes and provide space for bike lanes and shoulders, where feasible. In addition, if the spaces on the sides of non-curb and gutter streets have relatively level grades and few obstructions, the total pavement width can be widened to include paved shoulders. These types of projects are explained more below: Bicycle Lane - Road Diet: Road diets typically involve reducing the number of travel lanes (from a four-lane road to a two-lane road with center turn lane, for example) allowing adequate space for bicycle lanes. Road diets also have traffic calming benefits. (See page A-8 4-8

9 2011 MAP 4.1 RECOMMENDED BICYCLE FACILITIES BY CONSTRUCTION METHOD Bic ycle Transportation Pl an 4-9

10 2011 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an for example diagram). Bicycle Lane - Stripe: Refers to projects that require only the striping of a bicycle lane, with no other changes needed to the roadway or existing roadway striping. Bicycle Lane - Restripe: Refers to projects that require restriping travel lanes (often to a more narrow width) allowing adequate space for bicycle lanes. Narrowing the widths of travel lanes has been demonstrated to have no affect on overall roadway capacity (for more on this topic, refer to the following section). Bicycle Lane - New Construction: Refers to projects that require adding additional pavement width to the roadway to allow adequate space for bicycle lanes. These were determined based on future roadway reconstruction schedules and/or lack of opportunity with the current roadway environment. Other facilities also have sub categories shown on Map 4.1, indicating whether they are existing, planned, or proposed. These are defined as follows: Trails labeled as recommended are recommendations that were made for this Bicycle Plan. Trails labeled as town proposed already appear in previously adopted Town plans. Trails labeled as existing are already constructed and in use. Ncdot Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Process The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is an ongoing program at NCDOT which includes a process asking localities to present their transportation needs to state government. Bicycle facility and safety needs are an important part of this process. The primary NCDOT source for developing pedestrian and bike facilities is securing identification of a project in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Every two years projects are submitted by regional planning organizations (metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) and rural planning organizations (RPO)) throughout the state. Submitted bike and pedestrian projects are prioritized by the of Bike and Pedestrian Transportation staff. High priority projects will be used to populate the 5-Year Work Program and the delivery STIP. Please see this site for further information. There are two types of projects in the TIP: incidental and independent. Incidental projects are those that can be incorporated into a scheduled roadway improvement project. Independent are those that can standalone such as a greenway, not related to a particular roadway. The Town of, guided by the priority projects within this plan, should present bicycle projects along State roads to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and State. Local requests for small bike/pedestrian projects, such as crosswalks, signage, and shared-lane markings, can be directed to the CAMPO or the local NCDOT 5 office. Local Roadway Construction and Reconstruction Bicyclists should be accommodated any time a new road is constructed or an existing road is reconstructed. All new roads with moderate to heavy motor vehicle traffic should have bicycle accommodations (see various types and applications in Appendix A). The Town of should take advantage of any upcoming construction projects, including roadway projects outlined in local comprehensive and transportation plans. Also, as far as pedestrian planning is concerned, case law surrounding the ADA has found that roadway resurfacing constitutes an alteration, which requires the addition of curb ramps at intersections where they do not yet exist. 4-10

11 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an 2011 Residential and Commercial Development The construction of bicycle facilities that are part of an adopted plan should be required during development. Construction of bicycle facilities that corresponds with site construction is more cost-effective than retro-fitting. In commercial development, emphasis should also be focused on driveway access management, reducing potential conflict points in and out of parking lots. Bicycle Lane Development Through Travel Lane Narrowing One means of developing bicycle lanes is through restriping or travel lane narrowing. In laying out the bicycle network facility recommendations and methods, it was determined that 10 travel lanes were acceptable in order to fit bicycle lanes into the existing roadway environment. In fact, some existing State roadways in feature lane widths less than 9. For example, an existing two lane cross section with 15 lanes (Total roadway width of 30 ) could be altered to 10 lanes with 5 bicycle lanes (Total roadway width of 30 ). This methodology used in developing recommendations is supported by research in both automobile traffic safety and bicycle level of service improvements. Current AASHTO literature, research, and precedent examples support the notion of reducing 12 travel lanes to 10 lanes. The 2004 AASHTO Green Book states that travel lanes between 10 and 12 feet are adequate for urban collectors and urban arterials. (1) On interrupted- flow operating conditions at low speeds (45 mph or less), narrow lane widths are normally adequate and have some advantages. At the 2007 TRB Annual Meeting, a research paper using advanced statistical analysis, supported the AASHTO Green Book in providing flexibility for use of lane widths narrower than 12 feet on urban and suburban arterials. The paper indicates there is no difference in safety on streets with lanes ranging from 10 to 12 feet. The research found no general indication that the use of lanes narrower than 12 feet on urban and suburban arterials increases crash frequencies. This finding suggests that geometric design policies should provide substantial flexibility for use of lane widths narrower than 12 feet. The research paper goes on to say There are situations in which use of narrower lanes may provide benefits in traffic operations, pedestrian safety, and/or reduced interference with surrounding development, and may provide space for geometric features that enhance safety such as medians or turn lanes. The analysis results indicate narrow lanes can generally be used to obtain these benefits without compromising safety and Use of narrower lanes in appropriate locations can provide other benefits to users and the surrounding community including shorter pedestrian crossing distances and space for additional through lanes, auxiliary and turning lanes, bicycle lanes, buffer areas between travel lanes and sidewalks, and placement of roadside hardware. (2) Precedent examples also show the large number of communities around the United States that have narrowed travel lanes to enable the development of bicycle lanes. The Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation accumulated a list of these communities by asking members of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. The webpage titled Accommodating Bike Lanes in Constrained Rightsof-Way ( lists the community, their methods, and contact information. Cities such as Arlington, VA, Cincinnati, OH, Charlotte, NC, Houston, TX, and Portland, OR have regularly narrowed travel lanes to 10 or even commonly use them in new roadway development. Arlington, VA has been installing bicycle lanes on streets when they are repaved and have a number of streets with 10 lanes and bicycle lanes that have been functioning well without operational issues and complaints. Cincinnati, OH uses a policy that 10 foot lanes on collections and arterials are always permitted. New installations of 10 foot lanes with bicycle lanes require a speed limit of 35 mph or under. By restriping 12 foot lanes to 10 feet, the City of Houston, TX has converted 30 miles of arterial streets. Lane narrowing and the addition of bicycle lanes will require further analysis beyond this planning effort. Changing the roadway design may also require a reduction in speed limit and consideration of traffic calming designs such as median islands. For roadways with higher speed limits and traffic volumes, wider bicycle lanes may be warranted. Further analysis of bicycle lane restriping projects is warranted to determine appropriateness of lane narrowing, bicycle lane widths, and speed limits that impact both motorists and bicyclists. 4-11

12 2011 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an Action Steps Table Table 4.1 Policy, Program, and Administrative Action Steps Table Task Lead Agency Support Details Phase Page Reference Present Plan to Town Council Project Consultants Presentation to Town Council in Summer 2011 Summer 2011 n/a Approve this Plan Project Consultant Official letter of approval expected by Summer 2011 Summer 2011 n/a Adopt this plan Town Council Through adoption, the Plan becomes an official planning document of the Town. Adoption shows that the Town of has undergone a successful, supported planning process. Summer 2011 n/a Adopt this plan as component of updated 2011 Transportation Plan Town Council The planning processes for the Bicycle Plan and the Transportation Plan occurred simultaneously. The Bicycle Plan should be harmonious with the Transportation Plan and be an adopted component of the Transportation Plan. Summer 2011 n/a Adopt this plan as component of Vision Comprehensive Plan Town Council Planning & Zoning Recommendations from this Plan should be incorporated in an update to the Vision Comprehensive Plan n/a Designate Staff Town Council Town Manager Designate staff to oversee the implementation of this plan and the proper maintenance of the facilities that are developed. It is recommended that a combination of existing Staff, Planning staff and Parks and Recreation staff oversees the day-to-day implementation of this plan. Fall Establish a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) Town Council The Town of should establish a Bicycle Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) to assist Steering Committee in the implementation of this Plan. (2011) 4-1 and 4-3 Begin Semiannual Meeting With Key Project Partners BPAC BPAC should meet at least on a quarterly basis, and one of their meetings should be reserved to evaluate the implementation of this Plan. The Town Council, staff and members of the BPAC should meet on an annual basis to tour bicycle facilities and discuss bicycle and pedestrian issues. (2011) / 4-3 Seek Multiple Funding Sources and Facility Development Options Town Manager, other Chapter 3 contains project cost estimates and Appendix Town departments, F contains potential funding opportunities. BPAC (2011)/ Appendix E Improve Bicycle Policies Town Council Suggested policy revisions to the Town of Holly Springs Code of Ordinances are outlined in Appendix of C. The changes suggested clarify some basic policy Planning & Zoning positions regarding future development and the and provision of bicycle facilities. Some edits are also s, BPAC suggested for consistency in terminology. Appendix C Develop Bicycle Facility Striping Plans and Trail Construction Documents NCDOT Town engineers could prepare these in-house to save 5, NCDOT Bike/ money, using the design guidelines of this plan and Ped, Town the project cut-sheets as starting points. Specifically, of the resources listed on page A-3 will be very useful in Planning and Public drafting such documents. The public should have an Works opportunity to comment on the design of new facilities. / ongoing Chapter 3 Cutsheets and Appendix A 4-12

13 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an 2011 Launch Programs as New Projects are Built Offer Training for Enforcement Task Lead Agency Support Details Phase Page Reference Parks and Recreation,, and Planning s Police BPAC & League of American Bicyclists National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or League of American Bicyclists Assist in the coordination of joint adult and kids bicycle classes, to be provided in partnership between a locally certified League of American Bicyclists (LAB) instructor, BPAC, and Parks and Recreation. The actual curriculum would be developed by these groups, and could focus on personal trip coaching/promotion for non-car modes. Training for officers could be done through free online resources available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If the Town is able to find and secure grants for education, the Town could also seek instructor-led courses offered by the NHTSA or groups such as the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). / Appendix B 4-4 Complete top priority, phase 1 projects + NCDOT 5 Table 3.1 provides a list of the projects with phases noted. Immediate attention to the Phase 1 projects will instantly have a large impact on bicycling conditions in. Aim to complete this plan s Phase 1 bicycle projects by the end of Chapter 3; Table 3.1 on page 3-4 Present this Plan to other local and regional bodies and agencies., Planning, and Parks and Recreation s BPAC This Plan should be presented to other local and regional bodies and agencies. Possible groups to receive a presentation might include: the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, local bike store owners, regional transportation planners, Wake County park planners, health clubs and fitness facilities, schools and youth organizations, riding clubs, major employers, and large neighborhood groups. Primarily Chapter 3 Develop a long term funding strategy, Planning, Public Works, and Recreation and Parks departments Town Council, Town Manager, other Town departments, BPAC To allow continued development of the overall system, capital and Powell Bill funds for bicycle facility construction should be set aside every year, even if only for a small amount (small amounts of local funding can be matched to outside funding sources). Funding for an ongoing maintenance program should also be included in the Town s operating budget. Appendix E Maintain bicycle facilities Public Works + Parks and Recreation + NCDOT 5 BPAC + General Public (for reporting maintenance needs) Pay special attention to sweeping to the face of the curb where bike lanes are added; Town should plan to take over sweeping of bicycle lanes on NCDOT-owned roadways. The Town of Public Works and NCDOT should make immediate repairs to any on-road bicycle facilities that are damaged or have hazardous conditions. 3-3 (for location of proposed bicycle lanes) Provide bicycle parking in key locations throughout Town by mid and Planning s Provide bicycle racks in Downtown Parks at key locations and at locations identified in Map and Recreation, and 3.1. Work with BPAC and business organizations to BPAC determine additional, specific locations. 3-7, A-20 and A-21 Communicate and coordinate with NCDOT 5 on priority projects for NCDOTmaintained roadways. Take advantage by completing incidental projects. + Planning departments NCDOT 5, Ensure that when NCDOT-maintained roadways in are built, resurfaced or reconstructed, that this Plan s adopted recommendations for bicycle facilities are included on those streets. The Town should communicate bicycle accommodations early in the process, as part of the design. In a fast-growing community like, it is essential to take advantage of opportunities to provide bicycle facilities

14 2011 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an Task Lead Agency Support Details Phase Page Reference Notify the Town of Holly Springs of all upcoming roadway reconstruction or resurfacing/restriping projects, no later than the design phase. NCDOT 5 Planning, NCDOT Bike/Ped Provide sufficient time for comments; Incorporate bicycle recommendations from this Plan. If a compromise to the original recommendation is needed, then contact NCDOT of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation for guidance on appropriate alternatives Ensure planning efforts are integrated regionally and Planning s CAMPO, Wake County, neighboring municipalities Combining resources and efforts with surrounding municipalities, regional entities, and stakeholders is mutually beneficial. Communicate and coordinate with CAMPO, Wake County, neighboring municipalities on regional trails and bicycle facilities; partner for jointfunding opportunities. After adoption by the Town, this document should also be recognized in regional transportation plans 4-10 Apply for Safe Routes to School Grants, Parks and Recreation, and Police s Local schools, BPAC, SRTS Program Establish bike-to-school groups, walking school buses or other similar activities for children through the Safe Routes to School Program. Apply for infrastructure, programming, and workshop funding from North Carolina SRTS program. Appendix B Coordinate Family Rides Parks and Recreation and Police s BPAC Parks and Recreation/Police could lead a monthly family ride during the months of April through October as part of their regular programming schedule (similar to other programs listed in their seasonal publication); citizens (or BPAC members) might be willing to coordinate and lead such rides. Appendix B Coordinate Special Events Parks and Recreation BPAC, Use bicycle facilities, particularly trails, to promote causes and hold special events for causes Appendix B Utilize greenways for the display of public art Strengthen overall maintenance program Parks and Recreation Public Works + Parks and Recreation Local Arts Organizations BPAC + General Public (for reporting maintenance needs) See examples in Appendix A. A staff member should be designated as the main contact for the maintenance of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the roadway right-of-way. This staff member should coordinate with the appropriate departments to set up a free maintenance hotline and conduct maintenance activities in the field. A-46 - Policy Orientation Town Council, Planning Board, Planning Staff, Public Works Director, and NCDOT 5 Become familiar with State and Federal bicycle policy, as outlined in Appendix C. Appendix C Design Orientation Town Planning Board,, and NCDOT 5 Become familiar with the standards set forth in Appendix A of this Plan, as well as state and national standards for bicycle facility design. Appendix A Become familiar with the bicycle facility recommendations for NCDOT roadways in this Plan (Chapter 3); take initiative in incorporating this plan s recommendations into the s schedule of improvements. NCDOT 5, Construct and maintain bicycle facilities using the highest standards allowed by the State (including the possibility of using innovative treatments on a trialbasis). Seek guidance and direction from the NCDOT of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation on issues related to this Plan and its implementation. Chapter

15 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an 2011 Task Lead Agency Support Details Phase Page Reference Initiate a local bicycle safety and courtesy educational campaign by 2013 Parks and Recreation and Police Local, regional, state, Appendix B contains several lists of resources for more and national bicycle information on such educational campaigns. advocacy groups Mid-Term ( ) Appendix B Launch three new programs in three years that aim to increase bicycling among a) children, b) commuter/ utilitarian cyclists, and c) recreational/fitness cyclists. Parks and Recreation, and Police BPAC Sustain such programs with a partnership between the Town, local businesses, and non-profit organizations. See education, encouragement, and enforcement action steps for example programs. Mid-Term ( ) Appendix B If the Town determines that there are streets where speeds need to be lowered for safety purposes, contact NCDOT to lower them. NCDOT 5, The authority to lower speeds is set out in NC General Statute (f) - Whenever local authorities within their respective jurisdictions determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that a higher maximum speed than those set forth in subsection (b) is reasonable and safe, or that any speed hereinbefore set forth is greater than is reasonable and safe, under the conditions found to exist upon any part of a street within the corporate limits of a municipality and which street is a part of the State highway system (except those highways designated as part of the interstate highway system or other controlled access highway) said local authorities shall determine and declare a safe and reasonable speed limit. A speed limit set pursuant to this subsection may not exceed 55 miles per hour. Limits set pursuant to this subsection shall become effective when the of Transportation has passed a concurring ordinance and signs are erected giving notice of the authorized speed limit. Mid-Term ( ) - Produce and distribute a userfriendly bicycle map /Planning (GIS Manager) and Parks and Recreation Once more facilities are in place, produce and distribute a user-friendly bicycle map of, and consider the advantages of doing so in conjunction with neighboring communities. Provide basic safety information, commuting information, trail etiquette, transit information, and a list of local resources on the back side of the map. Mid-Term ( ) - Provide police officers with educational material to hand out with warnings Police Provide officers with a handout to be used during bicycle-related citations and warnings. See laws and considerations listed on page B-13. Mid-Term ( ) B-13 Work together to create a connected greenway system. Parks and Recreation and Planning s Because there is clear desire by residents for off-road greenway options, the Town should focus funding and efforts towards connecting greenways throughout Town. The investment will prove its worth with increased home values and increased livability. Long Term (2014-) 3-14 Become Designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community BPAC Planning and s should make progress in accomplishing the goals of this Plan, and then apply for BFC status. Download and review the application for a Bicycle Friendly Community designation. Determine which action steps of this plan would be the most strategic in terms of applying for the desired designation. Place emphasis on completing those steps, then apply. Long Term (2014) 4-4 and

16 2011 Bic ycle Transportation Pl an Task Lead Agency Support Details Phase Page Reference Reassess projects and reevaluate priorities and phases NCDOT 5,, BPAC In 2014, reassess projects and reevaluate priorities and phases. Consider updating key sections of the plan such as design standards and programs/policies. Long Term (2014-) - Attend a bicycle planning and design training session, Parks and Recreation Dept., and Planning Dept. Sponsor at least one planner, one engineer, and one parks staff from the Town of to attend a bicycle planning and design training session. NCDOT, in partnership with the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE), offers bicycle planning and design workshops for practicing professionals. Opportunity- Based